Eleanor Rigby
The Beatles (Co.Ver.) Lyrics
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Ah look at all the lonely people
Eleanor Rigby, picks up the rice
In the church where a wedding has been
Lives in a dream
Waits at the window, wearing the face
That she keeps in a jar by the door
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?
Father McKenzie, writing the words
Of a sermon that no one will hear
No one comes near
Look at him working, darning his socks
In the night when there's nobody there
What does he care
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?
Ah look at all the lonely people
Ah look at all the lonely people
Eleanor Rigby, died in the church
And was buried along with her name
Nobody came
Father McKenzie, wiping the dirt
From his hands as he walks from the grave
No one was saved
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?
The Beatles’ song “Eleanor Rigby” is a poignant commentary on the loneliness and isolation experienced by individuals in society. The song begins by introducing Eleanor Rigby, a woman who makes a living by picking up rice after weddings at the local church. The lyrics go on to describe her as living in a dream and waiting at the window, wearing a face that she keeps in a jar by the door. The question “who is it for?” alludes to the idea that Eleanor’s false face is meant to hide her true emotions from the outside world.
The song then introduces Father McKenzie, an individual who writes sermons that no one pays attention to. The lyrics describe him darning his socks in the night when there is no one around, highlighting his own loneliness and isolation. The repetition of the question “where do they all belong?” emphasizes the idea that these individuals are lost in society and have no clear place or purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah look at all the lonely people
Let's take a moment to acknowledge the presence of those who are lonely among us
Eleanor Rigby, picks up the rice
Eleanor Rigby collects rice left behind after a wedding is held in the church
In the church where a wedding has been
The place where the wedding was held is where Eleanor Rigby can be found
Lives in a dream
Eleanor Rigby lives in a dream-like state, detached from the reality around her
Waits at the window, wearing the face
Eleanor Rigby spends her time looking out the window while wearing a façade or mask to conceal her true emotions
That she keeps in a jar by the door
The façade or mask that Eleanor Rigby wears is kept in a jar by her door
Who is it for
She questions who the façade or mask is meant for and why she wears it
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?
The artist wonders about the origins and destiny of all those who are lonely
Father McKenzie, writing the words
Father McKenzie is writing a sermon, perhaps to deliver at the church
Of a sermon that no one will hear
No one is likely to attend or listen to Father McKenzie's sermon
No one comes near
No one approaches Father McKenzie or his sermons
Look at him working, darning his socks
Father McKenzie spends his time repairing his own socks
In the night when there's nobody there
Father McKenzie is alone at night while he does his sock-mending
What does he care
Father McKenzie does not seem to mind his loneliness and lack of audience for his sermons
Eleanor Rigby, died in the church
Eleanor Rigby passed away while inside the church
And was buried along with her name
Nobody came
No one attended Eleanor Rigby's funeral, and she was buried alone
Father McKenzie, wiping the dirt
Father McKenzie is wiping soil off his hands
From his hands as he walks from the grave
No one was saved
Father McKenzie left the grave alone, and no one was saved or rescued from their loneliness
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul Mccartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@estefaniagutierrezgaytan9745
Lyrics: (it’s for me, but if helps someone else here is:)
Ah, look at all the lonely people
Ah, look at all the lonely people
Eleanor Rigby
Picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been
Lives in a dream
Waits at the window
Wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door
Who is it for?
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?
Father McKenzie
Writing the words of a sermon that no one will hear
No one comes near
Look at him working
Darning his socks in the night when there's nobody there
What does he care?
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?
Ah, look at all the lonely people
Ah, look at all the lonely people
Eleanor Rigby
Died in the church and was buried along with her name
Nobody came
Father McKenzie
Wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave
No one was saved
All the lonely people (ah, look at all the lonely people)
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people (ah, look at all the lonely people)
Where do they all belong?
@Dragonking-fd1qv
Ah, look at all the lonely people
Ah, look at all the lonely people
Eleanor Rigby
Picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been
Lives in a dream
Waits at the window
Wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door
Who is it for?
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?
Father McKenzie
Writing the words of a sermon that no one will hear
No one comes near
Look at him working
Darning his socks in the night when there's nobody there
What does he care?
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?
Ah, look at all the lonely people
Ah, look at all the lonely people
Eleanor Rigby
Died in the church and was buried along with her name
Nobody came
Father McKenzie
Wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave
No one was saved
All the lonely people (ah, look at all the lonely people)
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people (ah, look at all the lonely people)
Where do they all belong?
@xenan7889
1962: She Loves You Yeah Yeah Yeah
1966: A Song About Dying And Being Forgotten
@stayoung80
Shows how much they evolved both as musicians and people.
@ArthurHGO1
Bob Dylan's influence
@apomorelli9580
Woahh
@jameskeane9721
Class A drugs change you. It's fantastic.
@bozman3974
Pressure causes things to crumble... same goes for humans
@milaanna444
love or hate the beatles you can’t deny this song is pure art.
@shianansen3896
yes u r right
@gaborpete
I used to hate them, I had thought they were boring to death, maybe intentionally boring, until I first heard and saw this song.
@Epsa_
How can anyone hate the Beatles tho fr